I’m Hungry

The Yankees sent out a press release today. No, it wasn’t about Jeter’s return to spring training camp or A-Rod’s rehab in Colorado or the Igwana’s demotion to Triple A. It was about the concessions and restaurants that will be available to patrons at the new Stadium.

Since it’s almost dinner time here in California, I couldn’t stop reading the info, courtesy of Peter Abraham, and decided that this post would be about food.

Here’s a sample of what the Yankees will be offering this season. (And no, I’m not making any of this up.)

#1) There will be a “fresh-to-order” window in the left-field concourse where fans can watch butchers preparing prime, dry-aged steaks.

Will the steaks be sold raw? Will the Stadium have George Foreman grills in every section for a “do it yourself” meal? Will anyone be able to afford steak?

2) There will be something called the Bleachers Cafe in center field.

Will Bald Vinny have a corner table?

3) In addition to traditional favorites, the new Stadium will debut a “Latin Corner,” serving nachos and burritos.

Shouldn’t there be at least one mariachi band?

4) There will be healthy alternatives, including Melissa’s, a “farmers market, carrying fresh fruits and vegetables.”

Will the fans throw Melissa’s fresh tomatoes at the players and each other after one beer too many?

5) The Yankees will offer a complete menu of Kosher food, as well as the standard Hebrew National fare.

Perhaps they will sell Kosher hats to go with the food?

6) Even the kids will have their own food, as the Stadium will sell such “child friendly” products as Kozy Shack Pudding.

Oops. Wrong Shack.

7) To ensure that the local Bronx community doesn’t feel slighted by the many first-class dining experiences at the Stadium, the Yankees will donate “edible leftovers” to those in need.

Will they at least put the leftovers in Styrofoam containers?

8) And finally, they will sell Pepsi instead of Coke.

Does Pepsi taste better or did the Yankees just get a better deal on it?

There will certainly be variety at the new Stadium concessions and restaurants, but after writing this post I have a hankering for a plain old hot dog.

P.S. Just finished watching Japan/Korea in the WBC. Great game (I was rooting for Bum Ho Lee to be the hero – oh, well), but I couldn’t help wondering….What were the fans eating? Any of the above?

30 Comments

Hey, I like Pepsi! The food choices at the stadium sound very good, but then again, with ticket prices up to $2,625, you’d expect 4-star restaurant treatment. Hmmm, I think I’ll check out Melissa’s. Might run into A-Rod there…

The dining choice at the New Yankees stadium seem to be rather odd. (Wonder if they will be serving the same food items at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium since the Yankees owners/Cowboys owners have an agreement to run the food service in those venues.) Are the Yankees trying to become like the LA-LA land and have their stadium be a place to be seen instead of to see the game? I think I’ll take Fenway Frank and cup of clam chowder thank you.

Jane,
The hotdogs were grilling, Canters & Panda Express were cooking. One thing we no longer seem to have is California Pizza Kitchen. I noticed this pizza called Brooklyn Pizza. I have not checked it yet.

Steaks??? Seriously??? Do they really think it’s a good idea to give New York fans knives and forks? (you did say “window”, not sit-down restaurant) Or will they be forced to eat it with their fingers, like the woman in the picture who’s in dire need of having her nails redone?
Rays Renegade will be happy to hear about the Pepsi!
SueRants, Raves, and Random Thoughts

Why are they showing people the butchers making the steaks? I think that would make me not want a steak.
Melissa’s should be the destination of choice. I am not sure why they named something in the new stadium after me since I really don’t like the Yankees, maybe they are trying to mend fences? haha
Melissahttp://clemsongirlbaseball.mlblogs.com

Arg… Pepsi? really? I’m more of Coca-Cola kind of girl.. LOL.. Even though they are selling burritos & nachos (which is suposed to be considered mexican lol).. Mariachi band? nah.. I rather listen to a good Merengue (Rep. Dominicana) or Salsa (Bronx, NY & Puerto Rico) band.. hey, it would motivate the few Latin players in the team, no?

Any word yet if the hot dogs are going to taste better this time around? :0)
How ’bout the pricing of the steak?

Wow, that’s a lot of uh, shall we say, unique ballpark food. But it makes sense with the prices of the seats there. If you can afford some of those seats, you can probably afford steak. Raw.http://kaybee.mlblogs.com

Scott, if you try out Melissa’s, just don’t throw any fresh tomatoes at anybody, including A-Rod.

Julia, I’m thrilled that they’re upgrading the food, which has been horrible. And New York is a melting pot for different cultures, so I like the fact that they’re mixing up the food options. I just don’t know how much money people will have for the pricier items.

No more California Pizza at Dodger Stadium, Emma? That’s not right – as Steve commented above about Pepsi over Coke (I agree).

Sue, if I read the press release correctly, the steak window is not only to encourage people to head over to the Stadium’s new “fine dining establishment,” NYY Steak, but to buy a steak sandwich from one of the carts that will be stationed around the ballpark.

I’m absolutely sure they named the farmer’s market stand after you, Melissa. They’re trying to convert Indians fans and thought it would be a good PR move.

Doesn’t Bum have the best name in baseball, Jeff? OK, one of them.

I hope the hot dogs taste better this time around, Latinyankeerebel. As I wrote in my book, my husband rated them the worst of all the ballparks we went to.

Yeah, I agree with Michael — they GOTTA make the dogs better — why not kosher dogs? — and they should sell BRATS like they do in Cincy and Milwaukee and elsewhere! Now for the most important question — what kinda BEER? Yes, I’m sure it will cost more for one beer than it normally does for two six-packs (at least for me), but inquiring minds like to know. Don’t think that Schaefer or Ballantine will make the cut — remember when Ballantine sponsored the Yankees? And those 3 rings on the label? “Purity, Body and Flavor.” And I didn’t even DRINK back then…!

I do remember “Baseball and Ballantine,” Dave, and can still hear Mel Allen’s voice – and I didn’t drink either!

Based on my informal survey, Canuck, which means that it was my husband Michael’s sampling of all the hot dogs while we were on the road for my book, the best one was at Comerica Park in Detroit. He really liked theirs the best.

Where is the Roger Clemens Juice Bar? How about Pettitte’s Petites, where you can get small “cream” filled pastries topped with a “clear” glaze?

I bet the Kosher stand will do great business 6 days a week, but for some reason will be closed from Friday night to Saturday evening. I just hope they don’t offer Kosher pizza!! That is one food item to avoid at all costs.

Judging by your book you would prefer something from Boog. They should sell the Orthadox rabbi beards rather then the hats! Don’t you wish the Yankees got a hold of Boog Powell, Jane? That way you wouldn’t have to travel or Door number two you can move to Baltimer hon!! Doubt thta would happen though.
Orangebirdhttp://upin36011cc.mlblogs.com/

Now I’m hungry. I really want a steak and some garlic fries. Where the craving for garlic fries came from, I don’t know. But they’re delicious and I want them now! And a good old Best Kosher dog from US Cellular. Too bad Sara Lee is discontinuing the brand. :( I get Vienna Beef from now on when I’m home, so it’s a good thing I like them. I think I’m gonna go make myself some garlic fries now since I have French fries in the freezer.
Jenhttp://ajroxmywhitesox.mlblogs.com

Jane,
It looks like Yankees are going to have quite the selection. I can’t believe that they’re going to be selling steak! That’s crazy. I hope I can make my way up to Yankee stadium relatively soon.
-Elizabethhttp://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com

Jane,
All soda tastes the same. Yankees must have gotten a better deal.
I’ve heard bad things about the Yankees’ ticket sellers. Heard weird things about their ticket plans, with them getting rid of the plans for the lowest number of games. Also heard that the Stadium blocks sight lines.
I’ll be going to a game and have decent seats, but even so, I’ve heard the Yanks have treated people pretty badly. Thoughts?
-Letsgoyankees

I have to give the Yankees credit, they don’t do anything half-^ssed. It’s first class all the way (except for the Pepsi thing, blecch). Dang, now I have a sudden urge to take in a Yankees game. Of course, I might have to sell a kidney to buy tickets.-Erinhttp://plunking-gomez.mlblogs.com

I’m with Michael. Instead of all the gourmet food, can’t they just serve the perfect hot dog? If I want anything else, I’ll go to a restaurant. I am a Pepsi girl, so that is a winner with me!
-Kathyhttp://redbirdchatter.mlblogs.com

Actually, the dis sell Pepsi in Yankee Stadium and their Spring Training home for many years, but after a bit of a fight with the vendor, they swapped out equipment and went with the so-called ” Real Thing.”
But there has been Pepsi in the stadium before, I used to go over to the complex and deliver it to them ever once in a while in Tampa when the Tampa warehouse did not have a certain product, or they needed a special item.
And, Pepsi is the beverage of the MLB……………..and has been for 5 years running.

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